Local

» Octogenarians helped Jamestown kick off its 150th anniversary May 3 by reminiscing about life in the borough during their youth. The story ran last Sunday.

» A parachute-full of anniversaries was celebrated last Sunday during Grove City Airport's third annual Oakley Kelly Day. They included the 100th anniversary of flight by the Wright Brothers and the 80th anniversary of hometown hero Kelly, who flew the first transcontinental flight.

» A Pittsburgh developer approached Farrell council Monday with a plan to build 25 energy-efficient homes for people with low-to-moderate incomes. The project, with a price tag of $2.1 million, would be done in three phases, with five homes done in the first year.

» A $3,000 stumbling block is standing in the way of a three-year contract between Springfield Township supervisors and the volunteer fire department. Supervisors want the department to pay the cost of liability insurance, but firefighters balked at the idea Monday.

» The city staff in Hermitage has come up with an idea that not only changes building setback requirements but would further officials' efforts to create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and add green space to commercial districts. The story ran Tuesday.

» By raising taxes and cutting spending, Jamestown Area School Board hopes to have a balanced budget on the table in June. The board is eyeing a 2.4-mill increase in Mercer County, according to a story Tuesday.

» Citing financial losses at its personal-care home, Woodland Place said Tuesday it is closing that operation while opening 15 independent-living apartments and finishing a remodeling of its nursing home. The complex is near Mercer.

» A plan to revitalize downtown Grove City over the next three years comes with a price tag of $6 million, more than 100 residents were told at a meeting Tuesday night.

» Residents of the West Hill area of Brookfield were urged Monday to help with an income survey that could lead to the township getting money to help them pay for sewers, which the state has mandated for the neighborhood.

» Mercer County commissioners Wednesday opened 42 bids for five contracts to build a 265-bed county jail. The lowest bid total was $17.5 million, although Commissioner Chairman Cloyd E. "Gene" Brenneman said the cost will probably be closer to $19.5 million.

» After a hiatus of about a year, the Mercer County Branch of the NAACP is back in business, new president Rastapari Hailstock of Farrell said for a story Thursday.

» The Good Shepherd Center has moved its food pantry to a building on Water Street in Greenville to give clients more privacy, center Director Sue Franklin said for a story Thursday.

» Between Jan. 1 and April 10, an ambulance wasn't available to respond 31 times when needed in Mercer County, according to a story Friday. That's why a collaborative effort is under way to take a look at what some say is a growing problem and to try to come up with solutions.

» District Justice William Fagley has twice as much space in his new office in Greenville. In a story Friday, Fagley said he was "very happy with the work," which cost close to $300,000.

» The new Heritage Square apartments in Mercer made an impression with senior citizens during Friday's grand opening. Four years in the works, the 10 single-occupant apartments include two that are handicapped accessible.

Sports

» Shawn Hammond, a Brookfield High graduate, was named the new Lady Warriors' varsity basketball head coach, replacing veteran mentor Tim Filipovich. Hammond is a former three-sport standout at Brookfield, who gained coaching experience at several stops, including having served as Filipovich's junior varsity coach and JV assistant. The story ran Tuesday.

» Mercer County Athletic Conference crowned 2003 dual-meet track and field champions, including the Greenville and Mercerboys and Hickory and Wilmington girls. The stories ran Wednesday.

» Josh Pratt's 2-out, 2-run fifth-inning home run accounted for all the runs teammate Jeremy Hedegore would need, as the Grove City High baseball team edged Mercer County Athletic Conference Class AA rival Hickory and staff ace Greg Mentrek, 2-0. Earlier this season Hickory posted a 5-4 verdict over the Eagles in a battle of two of the area's best diamond programs. The story was published Wednesday.

» Craig Wellman of Kennedy Catholic High announced he will continue his education and basketball careers at NCAA Division II Clarion University. Wellman, a first-team Associated Press Small School selection, joins another Mercer Countian -- Mercer's Shelah Bolyard -- in continuing a cage career at Clarion. The story was published Friday.

» Buzzy's Ten-Pin Alley hosted a Professional Bowlers Association Eastern/Central Regional tournament, and a handful of local keglers had an opportunity to compete against about 115 PBA Tour bowlers. The story was published Saturday.

» Eric Mausser, the former Sharon High wrestling standout who carved his niche in Clarion University mat annals during a distinguished four-year career, was selected as a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Top 10 Award recipient. In addition to his wrestling success (125-45), Mausser has amassed a 3.39 grade-point-average as an elementary education major at Clarion. The story ran Saturday.